Nypa fruitcans seeds germination and viability and their seedlings tolerence to salinity

Abstract

Despite being most abundant exclusive mangrove species in East West of Peninsular Malaysia, Nypa fruticans biologically is still under study. In this study, the viability and germination of Nypa fruticans seeds in mangrove sediment and sandy soils were tested for 30 days. Growth medium does not significantly influences seeds viability. But, sandy showing high mean of germination within periods of study. While seedlings response to salinity was tested for fifty days within salinity ranges; 0 ppt, 5 ppt, 15 ppt, 25 ppt and 35 ppt. (part per thousand). Seedlings tolerance was evaluated using; shoot elongation, root elongation and seedlings full establishment. Selected parameters were tested using OneWay ANOVA and UNIANOVA to compare mean of difference of the collected data . . High salinity, 25 ppt and 35 ppt respectively significantly inhibit the shoot elongation were about 0.94±0.45 and 3.53±0.33. Lower salinity, 5 ppt and 0 ppt significantly have low inhibition effect on the shoot elongation thus favoring the shoot to elongate at maximum length. Seedlings root elongation also significantly affected by the salinity, even though the differences among the treatment does not large as expected. Seedlings full establishment was significantly delayed by the salinity. Seedlings full establishment at 5 ppt showing the high percentages, 11.11 % respectively. Seedlings full establishment mostly recorded on the g th weeks of study. At high salinity, 25 ppt and 35 ppt was significantly delayed the seedlings to reach full establishment. Absence of salts, at 0 ppt which set as the control significantly supports the growth of Nypa fruticans without inhibition effect observed at shoot elongation, root elongation and seedlings full establishment.